Mine car bumper



July 4, 192.9.,A

v. wlLLouGHBY MINE CAR BUMPER Filed May 20, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Il lwllllllllll |L|| Il 1III|| II-IIMI I I I IIIII I IA.IIIIIIIIIIIII.

V. WILLOUGHBY MINE CAR BUMPER July 4, 1939.

Filed May 20, 1957 2 SheetS-Sheet 2 RNW@ Y md E MU III. I .II-lll. llllll LPatented July 4, 1,939

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE MINE CAR BUMPER Victor Willoughby, Ridgewood, N. J., assignor to American Car and Foundry Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application May 2o, 1937, serial No. 143,681

21 claims. (01.105-364) This invention relates to bumpers for mine and end member has an outwardly directed top flange industrial type cars or any other type of cars 20 to which is secured the upper horizontal buff- Which are link coupled together. Previous coning plate 22 of the end extension. This plate struc-.tions have caused considerable damage to overlies the lower drawbar v.I8 which extends s the coupling links due to the crushing of these through a notch cut in the Z end member as is links when the cars came together on buff. clearly shown in Fig. 2. The lower inwardly It is an object, therefore, of this invention to directed flange 24 of the Z end member has seprovide a bumper which will positively throw the cured thereto a lower horizontal buiiing plate 26, coupler link to one side preventing its being which extends outwardly beyond the end of the lo crushed. side sills and is supported outwardly of the Z A further object of the invention is the promember by means of a conventional form of end vision of a bumper and coupler arrangement in strap or binder 28. which the coupling link will be positively forced The strap coupling or drawbar is completed by to one side and clear the bumper face, thus presecuring an upper bar 29 to the central floor and l5 venting its being crushed. to the inclined end plate and lower strap I8. In l5 A still further object of the invention is the order to provide space to receive the coupling provision of a new and improved support for use linkage, this upper drawbar strap is deflected upbetween the coupling straps of a mine or other wardly as at 30 and then horizontally outward as car. at 32 in spaced relation to the upper bufling plate These and other objects of the invention will and lower drawbar strap. It is obvious that un- 20 be apparent to persons skilled in the art from a less supported, this upper portion would be disstudy of the following description and accomtorted under draft forces, and accordingly some panying drawings, in which: type of filler block or casting is necessary. In Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved end the present instance the ller block 34 is shown construction and bumper; as made of a single casting having upper, lower 25 Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on and rear surfaces conforming to the shape of the line 2-2 of Fig'. 3; upper and lower drawbar straps and side walls Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken substantially 36 which converge forwardly to an apex 38; the on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; resulting construction providing a iiller block of Fig. 4 is a plan view of the bumper and showing generally wedge Shape. The apex 38 is substan- 30 the position of the coupling link when under ten- -tially on the center line of the casting and irnsion and without tension; mediately ahead of the opening 4U through which Fig. 5 is a front elevational View of the bumper the securing and anchoring bolt 42 extends. Any with the link in the various positions as indicated rotational movement of the filler block about this 35 in Fig. 4, and bolt is prevented due to rearwardly projecting 35 Fig. 6 is a perspective vi'ew of the improved 111gs 44 Which ClOSely engage the Sides 0i the iniiller block or casting. clined` portion 30 of the upper drawbar strap as Referring now to the drawings in detail, it is Clearly ShOWn in Figs. 1 and 2- seen that the end construction has been applied The space between the upper and lower horito a car having Z section side sills 2 upon which zontal bufling plates is adapted to be iilled with 4U the customary side and central floors 4 and 6 wood or other bufng blocks 46 which extend respectively are secured. The end construction outwardly beyond the ends of the plates and bear is composed of a plurality of plates, one of which against the inner face of the bumper cap 48. The has a rear horizontal portion 8 adapted to be sebumper cap in the instance shown is pressed or cured to the central floor and inturned flanges otherwise formed with a curved bufng or face of the side sill. 'I'his plate is also formed with an plate 50 and rearwardly directed upper and lower upwardly inclined portion I8 terminating horizontal flanges 52 and 54 respectively adaptthroughout the major portion thereof in a downed to overlie the upper and lower horizontal bufwardly directed vertically extending flange I2 fing plates of the end construction. The bumper adapted to be securedby means, such as rivets I4, cap is secured in position on the end construction 50 to the vertical web I6 of a Z formed end mem'- by means of bolts or other means 56 which exber. As clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the cen'- tend through the upper and lower buiing plates tral portion of this plate is pressed inwardly in and wood blocks. In order to provide for couorder to provide a groove for the lower strap I8 Fling 0f Cars the upper and 10We1 dl'aWbaI Straps,

of the drawbar or strap coupling. The Z formed as well as the upper and lower flanges of the 55 end construction and bumper cap, are provided with aligned openings through which coupling pin or bolt 58 may extend, with its center substantially in alignment with the center line of the drawbar straps and directly outward of the ller casting apex. 'Ihe bumper cap is formed with an upwardly extending, rounded projection which is located to one side or the other of the center line of the drawbar and is so positioned that its axis will be at angle to this center line and preferably intersects the center line at the center of the coupling pin or bolt as is clearly shown in Fig. 4. This projection may be either pressed in the bumper top ila-nge 52 or formed by welding a short piece of round stock to the bumper top flange.

With the previously described construction it is obvious that when the car is b'eing'pull'd thel draw link 62 will be in the position as shown by full lines in Figs. 1 and 2 and by line and dash in'Figs". Llatini 5. In this position the link is raised vertically and spaced from the bumper flanges with one side lof the link resting upon the top of the projection 6U. When the draft is lre"- leased and vthe cars start toward eavzhv other on a buffing action the link will, of course, Ybe thrown t-o one side by theprojection and will assume the position` shown in full lines on Figs. 4 and 5. With the link thrown to one side and the cars continuing their buff action, the link will be moved backward until the rearp'ortion contacts one of thev diverging walls ofthe filler casting which will further throw the link to one side and intothe position shown by line and dash in Fi-g. 1. In cases where the buff actionwmight take placeras the car was roundingl a curve and the coupling link resting substantially at right angles to the axis of the projection, the projection would, of course, have no effect in throwing the link to one side, but with the link in this vangular position as it moves backward it would again be deiiected by one of thediverging of the filler block and would assume the position shown by line and Vdouble dash of Fig. 1. n It is thus seen that regardless of the position of the coupling link upon the commencement of the buffing.v action the link will be thrown to one side or the other, thus preventing its being crushed and that the bumper projection and improved filler casting cooperate to accomplish this result.

While the invention has been described more or less in detail, it is obvious that various modications and rearrangements of parts will be possible and all such modifications and rearrangements of parts are contemplated as fall within the scope of the following claims:

What is claimed is: e

1. In a minek or similar rail car, theY combination 'of a metal bumper, a drawbar locatedl at least in part above the bumper and formed with upper and lower spaced jaws adapted to receive a coupling link therebetween, a coupling link between said jaws, said bumper comprising an upright buing face and an 'upper flange directed toward the car bodyand overlyingrthe lower jaw of said drawbar, said upper ange being formed with an upwardly extending, rounded projection normally supporting the coupling link in spaced relation to the bumper during application of draft forces to the link.

2. In a mine or similar rail car, the combination of ametal bumper, a drawbar located at least in part above the bumper and formed with spaced jaws to receive Ya couplinglink therebetween, 4a coupling link between said'jaws, said bumper comprising an upright bufling face and an upper flange directed toward the car body, said upper flange being formed with an upwardly extending, rounded projection normally supporting the coupling link in spaced relation to the bumper during application of draft forces to the link, said projection being of such a length and arranged at an angle to the verticalcenter plane of the bumper in such a position that said link will be deflected thereby to one side thereof upon cessation of the application of the draft forces.

3. In a mine or similar rail car, the combination of'a metal bumper, a drawbar located at least in part above the bumper and formed with spaced jaws adapted to receive a coupling link therebetween, acoupling link between said jaws, a ller block arranged rearwardly of said link and positioned between said jaws to maintain their spaced relationship, said link being adapted to contact said filler block when moved inwardly under buing forces, thebumper comprising an upright buimg face and an upper flange directed toward the' car body, the upper flange being formed with: an upwardly extending projectioii normally supporting the coupling link in spaced relation 'to the bumper during appli cation 'o'f draft forces to said link, the projectio'n having its longerdirnension'of Ysuch a length and arranged at such an angle to the Vertical center plane of the bumper that said link will be deflected thereby to'one side thereof upon cessation of draft forces', said filler block being provided with awedge-shaped face with the apex thereof in a vertical plane intersecting the longitudinal axis of said draw bar to further deflect said link upon contact therewith.

4. In a mine "or'similar rail car, the combination of a metal bumper, a drawbar located at least in part above the bumper and formed with spaced jaws to vreceiveI av 'coupling' link therebetween, acopling link between said jaws, a spacing block arranged rearwardly of said link and positioned between said'jaws Ato maintain their spaced relationship, said linkbein'g adapted to contact said block when fno'ved inwardly under buffing forces, said block beingformedwith a wedge-shaped face having the apex thereof 'disposed in a vertical plane intersecting thelongitudinal axis of said drawbar to deflect said link upon` contact therewith.

5. In a mine or similar'rail car, the combination of a` metal bumper, a drawbar located at least in part above the bumper land formed with spaced jaws to receive a coupling link therebetween, a coupling link between said jaws, a spacing block arranged rearwardly of said link and positioned between said jaws to'mainta'in their spaced relationship, said link being adapted to contact said block when moved inwardly under bufling forces, said block being formed Vwith a wedge-shapedface lhaving the apex thereof disposed in a vertical plane intersecting the longitudinal axis Yof said drawbar to deect said link upon contact therewith, and projections on said block engageable with the jaws toprevent lateral displacement of the block.

6. In a mine or similar rail car, the combination of a metal bumper, 'a drawbar located at least in part Vabove the bumper and formed with being formed with an upwardly extending, elongated, rounded projection normally supporting the coupling link in spaced relation to the bumper flange during application of Vdraft Aforces to the link, said projection being of such length and having the longitudinal axis thereof intersecting the coupling pin at an angle to the center line of the car in such a position that said link will be deflected by said projection to one side of the latter upon cessation ofthe application of the draft forces.

7. In a mine or similar rail car, the combination of a metal bumper, a drawbar located at least in part above the bumper and formed with spaced jaws to receive a coupling link therebetween, a coupling link retained between said jaws by a coupling pin, said bumper comprising an upright buifng face and an upper ange directed toward the car body, said upper flange being formed with an upwardly extending elongated, projection normally supporting the coupling link in spaced relation to the bumper flange during application of draft forces to the link, said projection being of such length and having the longitudinal axis thereof intersecting the coupling pin at such an angle to the center line of the car that said link will be deflected to one side of the projection upon cessation of the application of the draft forces, and a filler block between the spaced jaws formed with a wedge-shaped face having the apex thereof disposed substantially in the vertical plane of the longitudinal axis of the drawbar, said link being shiftable inwardly into Contact with said block under bufling forces to which the car is subjected to be further deflected by said wedge-shaped face.

8. As an article of manufacture, a bumper for mine cars comprising, a bufng face curved rearwardly from either side of the vertical transverse center plane of the bumper, an upper rearwardly directed flange joined to the curved face at its upper edge, and an elon-gated, rounded projection on said flange, said projection being positioned adjacent one side of the vertical center plane of the bumper with its longitudinal axis at an angle thereto and being so formed as to deilect a coupling link upon cessation of draft forces to which said link is subjected.

9. As an article of manufacture, a filler block for use between the spaced jaws of a drawbar comprising, upper, lower and rear surfaces conforming substantially to the jaws of the drawbar, and forward surfaces formed by walls converging to an apex located substantially in the vertical plane through the longitudinal center -of the block.

10. A bumper for mine or similar cars comprising spaced upper and lower flanges and an intermediate face plate, said upper flange having on its upper surface a rounded and elongated projection positioned adjacent the vertical center plane of said bumper with the longitudinal axis thereof intersecting said vertical center plane, said projection being so formed and arranged that a coupling link will be deflected thereby upon cessation of draft forces to which the link is subjected.

11. A bumper for mine or similar cars comprising an upright bufling plate, a longitudinal flange extending from said plate at its upper edge, and an elongated projection on the upper surface of said flange, said projection being positioned at an angle to the transverse center line of said bumper and so formed and arranged that a coupling link will `be deflected thereby upon cessation ofdraft forces to which the link is subjected.

12. In a mine or similar rail car, the combination of a metal bumper, a drawbar located at least in part above the bumper and formed with spaced jaws, a coupling link between said jaws, said bumper comprising an upright bufng face and an upper ange directed toward the car body, and a projection on said upper flange adapted to support the coupling link in spaced relation to the bumper during application of draft forces to the link, said projection being so formed and arranged as to cause said link to be deiiected to one side upon cessation of said draft forces.

13. A ller block for use between the spaced jaws of a drawbar comprising upper, lower and rear faces conforming substantially to the jaws of the drawbar, said filler block being provided with a wedge-shaped forward portion having the apex thereof disposed in a Vertical plane passing through the longitudinal center of said block.

14. In a mine or similar rail car, the combination of a metal bumper, a drawbar located at least in part above the bumper and formed with spaced jaws, an inwardly shiftable coupling link between said jaws, and a filler block between said jaws to maintain their spaced relationship, said block being so formed and arranged as to cause said link to be deflected to one side of the jaws during inward movement of the link under buiiing forces.

15. In a mine or similar rail car, the combination of a metal bumper, a drawbar located at least in part above the bumper and formed with spaced jaws, a coupling link between said jaws, said bumper comprising an upright buffing face and an upper flange directed toward the car body, and means on said upper flange so formed and arranged as to support the coupling link in spaced relation to the bumper during application of draft forces to the link and to cause said link to be deflected to one side upon cessation of said draft forces, said means comprising an elongated, projection formed on said upper flange and arranged at an angle to the vertical center plane of the bumper.

16. In a mine or similar rail car, a metal bumper comprising an upright bumping face and an upper flange, a drawbar having at least a part thereof arranged in spaced relation above the bumper and formed with spaced jaws for receiving a coupling link therebetween, a projection on said upper flange for supporting the coupling link in spaced relation to said flange during application of draft forces, said projection being so formed and arranged as to cause said coupling link to be deflected to a position crossing the longitudinal center line of the bumper upon cessation of said draft forces.

17. A filler block for use between spaced jaws of a draw bar comprising a body portion having forwardly converging side walls.

18. A iiller block for use between spaced jaws of a draw bar comprising a body portion having a wedge shaped forward portion formed forwardly converging side walls, an-d spaced lugs pro- .iecting from the rear portion of said block.

19. A bumper for mine or similar cars, comprising spaced upper and lower flanges and a face plate, said upper iiange having an elongated projection on its upper surface positioned adjacent and at an acute angle to the vertical center plane of said bumper and so formed and arranged that a coupling link Will be deflected thereby up'on cessation of draft forces to which the link is subjected.

20. A bumper for mine or similar cars', comprising an upright bufling plate, a longitudinal iiange extending from said plate at its upper edge portion, and an elongated projection on the upper surface of said flange adjacent its junction with the bufling plate, said projection being positioned at an acute angle to the transverse center line of said bumper and so formed and arranged that a coupling link will be deected thereby upon cessation of draft forces to which the link is subjected.

21. As an article of manu'facture a bumper for mine cars or the like comprising a curved bufl'ng face, an upper flange joined to the upper portion of the bufng face, and a projection arranged on the upper surface of the upper flange in such position that the plane of its longitudinal axis intersects a vertical plane through the upper flange at a point substantially intermediate the end portions of Said upper flange and being so formed that a coupling link will be deflected thereby upon cessation o-f draft forces to which the link is subjected. v

VICTOR WILLOUGHBY. 

